ernard Mizeki was born near Inhambane in Mozambique about 1861. His parents, of Shangaan origin, called their son Mamiyeli Mitseki Gwambe. There was no local school for him to attend; instead he worked as an assistant in his village store. One day he agreed to accompany a white hunter to Cape Town as a servant, and later on found a job as a domestic servant in a Cape Town suburb.

he boy showed strong moral courage in refusing to drink Cape brandy with his friends; instead whenever he was free he attended a night-school run by a Christian Mission. There he learned quickly, became a Christian and was baptized in the name of Bernard. When he grew older the Mission helped Bernard to enrol at Zonnebloem College to train as a catechist.

ishop Knight-Bruce one day came to the Mission and asked for volunteers to teach the Christian Gospel in his new see of Mashonaland, and Bernard decided to go there with him. After his arrival in Rhodesia Bernard chose to work at Chief Mangwende’s village some fifty miles from Fort Salisbury. After five years Bernard married a granddaughter of Mangwende.

hen the Mashona Rebellion broke out Bernard realized that his life was in danger partly because he had offended the local witch doctor, but more particularly because of his association with Europeans. On Sunday, 14 June 1896, the witch doctor persuaded everyone in Mangwende's village to stay away from Bernard’s morning service, but evensong was well attended. When he heard of this the witch doctor threatened to kill Bernard and punish the people who had appeared at evensong contrary to his orders. Bernard Mizeki learnt of these threats but refused to leave the village.

hat night there was a loud knocking on the door of Bernard’s hut. He was immediately dragged outside and mortally wounded. His wife bathed his wounds and then left him for a short time to fetch some blankets. When she returned his body had disappeared, having been buried among the rocks.

n the Saturday nearest to 18 June each year, at his shrine near Theydon, a special service of Holy Communion is held in memory of the first known African Christian Martyr of Mashonaland.